The year 2026 has begun with shocking violence from within the ranks of the Philippine National Police (PNP), eroding public trust in the very institution sworn to protect them. In the span of just a few days, two separate bloody incidents involving police officers have exposed critical failures in security protocols and mental health monitoring.
Sibulan, Negros Oriental: A Bar Shooting Turns Deadly for Fellow Officers
The first tragedy unfolded in Sibulan, Negros Oriental, on January 9, 2026. A police officer shot and killed a woman inside a bar. Following this initial crime, the situation escalated horrifically. As fellow officers responded to what was initially reported as a shooting alarm, the suspect turned his weapon on them.
The officer shot and killed his police chief and two other colleagues while they were en route to the police station. CCTV footage later revealed a devastating lapse: the four policemen had actually been together inside the bar prior to the shooting, contrary to the initial "response" narrative.
This "confidence" among colleagues led to a catastrophic breach of basic security protocols. Because the suspect was considered a "kauban" or comrade, he was not properly frisked, disarmed, or placed under close guard after the first shooting, even though one weapon was secured. Tragically, he had concealed a second firearm. The result was the loss of three more police lives in an instant.
If the investigation proves serious lapses, the benefits for the slain officers' families could be jeopardized, turning their deaths from a honor into a symbol of systemic failure.
Camp Crame, Quezon City: A Stabbing Inside Police Headquarters
Before the public could process the horror from Negros, another violent incident emerged from the heart of the PNP itself. On January 13, 2026, inside Camp Crame in Quezon City, a police officer under "restrictive custody" attacked a fellow officer.
The suspect and victim were among six policemen detained since December 2025 over allegations of stealing P13 million in cash evidence from a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) raid in Bagac, Bataan, in 2024. While preparing for a preliminary investigation, the victim entered a kitchen for breakfast.
The suspect followed, grabbed a kitchen knife, and attacked. The victim tried to restrain him in a bear hug but was stabbed in the back. This attack occurred within the national police headquarters, a place supposed to represent maximum security and order.
Eroding Trust and the Call for Stricter Measures
These back-to-back incidents have severely damaged public confidence in the police force. If officers cannot protect themselves from their own colleagues in a bar or inside their own camp, what security can ordinary civilians expect on the streets?
The editorial highlights an urgent need for the PNP leadership to implement stricter monitoring of mental health, behavior, and background checks for all personnel. This is especially critical for those already facing serious administrative or criminal cases. A profound internal reckoning is required to restore the force's role as a guardian of peace and order, not a source of fear and violence.
